Ok quickie and hilly

Like the title said. Still in the auld country. Tennis tomoorw with sis (I say sounds posh but the again, relation had recently met p o t us on holiday so can't beat that!)xx Christmas to you all. Still.

Happy Christmas just thinking about how to run all this food off

Feels like I have expanded a dress size in a day. Is that possible ? He'll who cares for one day ! Mind you, I fancy another full turkey dinner tomorrow again.......seasons greetings to you all from a bright  night.

Greetings from the old country

Auld country, Erin. How are your last min Christmas preparations going ? Well despit loads of presents still to wrap and a few still to get and some last minute food to buy, I managed to prioritise a little trot into the village and down by the river. Not as pretty a day as last mite (mid march I think) but still a run in the fresh air, peace and quiet. Legs are stiff today so it was pretty slow and not sure how far , probably 5k in about 40 to 45mins but a run. Next one Boxing Day to to all my friends a very happy Christmas!!

Fast for a reason

Normally the trot with a few hills with the ballet mums leaves me out of puff but ok. This week we has to mince at the start as roads were really greasy and then one of the mums realised we would be late to see the final rehersal and as helper mums we needed to be there soooooo we took off at a belter ace and got back .... Late and for me, out of puff but at least I kept up. Kid still annoyed as I hadn't seen the full dance. Never mind.

No new runs, spin class tonight but trying to get to 100posts by Christmas

So 3to go after this, reckon that's fine.  Might get 3runs in. Will need to as double Christmas dinner on the 25th again with 2setsof family to visit in the one day . How easy to pile on the pounds ?especially as I love Christmas dinner :)

Noticibly absent

I have had 5goals this year - did 2. Still time do do the others? No not 2of them cos they are date dependant e.g. Visiting the cave at ingle borough which is only open to the public on bank holidays so have to wait until Easter for at one. You have to be lowered down by a winch several hundred feet into this massive gaping cave. I like the sound.....! I might just be able to squeeze the 4th one with a climb of Ingle borough hill before the end of the year. The photo , incase you were wondering, is of hadrians wall in the north of England which was a new place for me and it was great to see it ( roman emperor, edge of the Roman Empire, build a big wall, keep the scots out etc. ) Also did my first 10k (and I am claiming it in just under 1hour as apparently we ran more than 10k at the tholthorpe one where my time was 1hour and 16secs) and of course.... Must not forget my first half marathon, the great north. 

Ok so why so few running posts? Cos I haven't been running. I have been doing a Spinning class which is bloody hard but seems to have kept my fitness up as I went for 2 runs recently and they were ok. Hilly Sutton, the one where you have to start at the base of the white horse and make it up all the vertical steps without passing out. Then yesterday, a lovely little trot with the ballet mums ( ballet seems to be in 2camps, the ones who run(3or4of us) and those who sit and chat and probably bit h about us runners). I was worried about this run as I haven't been for a while and usually they trot round while I pant my way through but this time I was absolutely fine and felt great. So much so that I intend to do the same today at the gruelling 2hour dress rehersal. How keen am I . Just off to find a route on google earth as the boss , who lives near, has not fulfilled my request to suggest a route. Thanks boss!  

Yellow Sweden and welcome Croatia!

Well 2 runs to report this week . One VERY bad and one good but short. Good spin class though and lots of discussions with others about LE GOAL pour 2013!! It might be another half marathon, Definately  a messy obstacle run with mud will be a goal and a duo or still thinking about a tri but didn't think about another half marathon as a goal but I have not ruled it out .. So that means it is in.... Lordy b ! Le faith , keepez vous sil vous plait!

Little slow run. Where is my goal...?

Oh boy, a laboured run, I will try harder tomorrow with LLL and will email the tri people at the local running club. Shutup and get on with it nova.

Bored bored bloody bored no goal

Feels like a bit of a lull at the min doing a spin class but that's not really stimulating me in the same way -not really a challenge  and I don't really have anything worth writing about so really need to rectify that. The sprint tris arn't until the late spring/summer , Wed nights at the running club are tricky to fit in unless I drop a spin class. I might do that to mix things up bit. Or go back to Friday circuits... nothing seems to be dramatically altering my fitness or stripping the excess for Christmas....... But then again, I might just have to eat less .... Boo hoo bored bored bloody bored ....can you tell ? By the way quick photo of the beach at bamburgh where I was vary happy last week but torn away too soon. Always such a brief visit there. Would love to run there one morning or even better, to ride along the beach on a horse....

US elections -who are you voting for?

US elections  Would like to know...?

Lovely little trot but ended up 6k with frat legs

Fartlegs probably not spelt that way far klieg ferkleg or something like that means (incase you are not a runner...) speed work or some such thing and there was a lot of that on this run but good for staming, speed and other stuff apparently. Followed by a killer spin session tonight but still no goal,......

Two lovely runs in bonnie Scotland!

Will def post pics as one in glen Coe by the loch -absolutely glorious morning run and one in Blair Atholl by the river under a canopy (and carpet)  of orange leaves with only a stately heron for company. Really beautiful. Skye was bloody freezing though and the beer with whiskey ( the local is talisker -one of my Dad's favourites) was evil ... In a nice way. Both runs short but sweet. Would like to say keep the faith but not aiming for the tri yet . Have booked now't  as focusing on shifting a few pounds I gained eating haggis , tattles and neeps..  (plus Halloween/fireworks party puts e.g ginger cake, Yorkshire parkin and clotted cream, my sisters tira,Isuzu etc....) before Christmas. Hope you are all gloriously well.

Rotten week but one good and one average run to support

Some weeks seem to merge into one and this one has been long and grim but things can't keep going in one direction soooooo I am hoping the next 2 weeks will be better. So my 2 little runs which I have to report. First one, crispy Sat morning with the ballet mums , nice little trot except I was a bit hung over, not sure they approved, panted the whole way round but at least I did it. I'll be sober as a judge on the next run but probably still panting my little heart out. No matter what I do running - wise or fitness -wise, I don't seem to get any fitter. These mums do less but don't pant at all and I struggle at their pace especially at hills. Mind you they probably don't have hangovers and are a few years younger. That's my excuse anyway. Second run was very short, tried to do fast legs but gave up and did squat walks instead, very ungainly but was on an empty golf  course with just a few cows (as in animals, not female golfers...) scratching their heads in bemusement at the bonkers lady. Glad to get the runs in though as weather is turning. Got my vicious spin class tomorrow and then hope to do another run at the end or the circuit class on Friday. NEED to find that new GOAL?  Keeping my eye out for those crispy, sunny, fresh autumn days to run some more.

Cheeky little post

Ok so have not posted in a while and STILL not posted about the GNR but then to do that would mean it was over, almost like I had never run it at all ......and it was such a good goal for such a long while ....and I still really don't have a goal, a mini tri maybe but not entered anything yet so it doesn't really count . I. Might enter a 10k in a different name so I can just run.... Or is that a cop out ? Ok so I did do some running this week and it felt good . Prob a 6 k and then a 3k this morning with he ballet mums so a start at least . Will do the swimming tomorrow and a spin after . I would like to say keep the faith but for what .... ? And it was only a bleeding half marathon and a slow one at that ! So what on earth must the Olympians be feeling..... Mind you , they are probably training for Rio ......

The new goal.....Nova Tris...

Oh crap just lost this post cos my iPad lost wifi signal. Just to say the theme of the post was that I have a new goal...I think ....which is a mini tri. Will discuss in next post . Quick press send and post the damn thing before I loose this too........

Is this my GreatNorthRun post?....is it heck

It is almost too much of a burden to have to write a post about the big day itself cos after all, that is what NovaRuns... The blog, is all about. The raison-daitre! And I have done it now -Yes I DID DO IT and it was bloody marvellous AND I would do it again in a heartbeat but......that post will be long and detailed with photos so I have to do it another time when I am not crashing and burning . so what is this post about? Well, I just wanted to make contact to say hello , to post again, to say I am currently looking for my next challenge and that I have loved every minute of this blogging business . It is strangely comforting, cathartic, inspiring, rhythmic/routine and other words I cannot think of right now. I have enjoyed blogging in 2012 , I hope you have enjoyed reading the posts and I will keep going........the faith has been kept and so to another challenge ...................NovaIsDoingWhat..?

No going back the GNR is tomorrow morning!!

Well past has been consumed, bags packed . Now't else to do but sleep. Big bloody bowl of pasta though... Hope I didn't over do it . Keeping the faith. :)

Ok so here goes .....the great north is around the corner ....

Well one day to go, loads of cardio this week and trying to go easy on the knees but I might have done toooooo much as they are hot and twitchy tonight and that can't be right can it? I am also in danger of  overdoing the carb load pasta as basically it's a free for all , like being pregnant , you can relax a bit. Mind you I ate really carefully when pregnant so seem to be making up for it with this running business..... SO. The run is round the corner. Good to hear there will be several Olympians there to send us off, MO, etc! need to get very last minute provisions and kit organised, bin bags keep warm and for other, less delicate reasons (emergency wee at start) and a lovely burger at the end! If ever I needed you to keep the faith, it is NOW please:)

Quick and dirty work out

Well quick anyway with no running (ok 3 mins on the treadmill cos of the bloody knees) so cross trainer, rowing of sorts , stepper, a few ropy core moves. Will work harder tomorrow. Have to work harder tomorrow! Only  5 days to go and limited chance to get the miles or fitness in. The GNR is going to be televised , BBC1 Sunday morning at 9.30 am. Highly unlikely you will see me puffing along as there will be 50,000 plus people in the way but I am fine with that getting very excited indeed! Raising £for cancer research and that will keep me going! Plus the boss shouting in my ear of course!!

The beach from a distance

The sea where I ran :)

Does limited running (as in for an half marathon) make you chunky?

Cos I am eating for England at the min ?..

last 7days recent posts rubbish, not sure I can capture all of it.

Will do my best but will take some blogging to capture it. Sooooo much to cover and soooo little time to do it.

No posts for a while but loads to tell you and photos but that means technogy

And I am a techno phobe . Lots of runs, another 10k, a ridge walk up high and a vicious spin session. Busy few days ......will post soon.

5miler which flew past. Not enough for this week thouh

Ok so a 5miler, seemed to pass in a heartbeat . New shoes ok, bit sore on the left toes but knees ok and that is the main thing. Will do a biggie in the lakes-the full 13 I hope. Off to scoff and dance at a festival. . Enjoy all. 

New shoes madam...ohhhhhhh

And so far they are like slippers, mind you I have only worn them once and there is a train of thought that suggests they might be a purchase  a bit too close to the race date to break them in but it was a last ditch attempt to save the knees . Saucony shoes. White and blue (cos I aint no pink gal) and have been out for a little trot in them yesterday. Not far but enought to know they were ok on the knees. Haven't mentioned the really beautiful fell run near hadrians wall on Sunday but will pop a photo in and update tomorrow. Running club...!

Running up that hill ... And down and up and down and up again...

Hello my global friends, interesting to see the Russians are top of the pops as far as views are concerned so a big hello  to you . Didn't mean to run today but  as the gym was bursting at the seams seems  and it was a truly glorious evening, I escaped outside and trotted down to the river (bit of a leg drag really) and hit the bridge which is the only "hill" in the area. Very short but steep up and down several times, trying to go as fast as I could up to the top . A few short sprints and some push ups on the tee (golfers would be horrified. It too late for anyone to be around so they will never know) and then back to finish off with some interval training on the cross trainer

Scores on Doors...... No change

I should be having a hissy fit at this point , especially as I am off for the weekend without much chance of a run but did do a hard, hard session at the boxing class last night. Turned up late and got the instructor so had to put big effort in and was totally wacked by the end. Great stuff though! Might just have to have a final rest week and let the knees recover properly , then  do a big run on Monday and ease off later in the week.

And scores on the doors so far this week...?

A pathetic 5k some speed work. Better get cracking now that my number has arrived...

OMG..... Look what arrived today!!!!!!!!

Is this double-posting? Better look back and check.

Nope. Didn't post last night but now't to call home about, in other words, rubbish little run. Sore knees, excuse for a 2k trot. Trot suggests a jauntiness of pace which was not there.... Anyway , it kicked off my miles this week. Will do a longer run tomorrow with the club, babysitting permitting and then sat a park run. Tarrrrra. P.s. I realise my grammar is not what it used to be (currently writing a dissertation and finding grammar errors all over the shop and quite surprised at my  poor efforts. I thought if you were taught properly , then you would always remember .... )
but not so. My blog is a perfect example of crap grammar so I can only apologise nd hope no one is trying to improve their English whilst reading this!

The bairn says I should do the NOBOT at the end of the GNR ....

She clearly has faith but after the run I had today I am less confident than her. Thoroughly enjoying the closing ceremony from the comfort of the sofa with knees resting on a pillow -boy did they hurt today  on my excuse for a 5k to make the grand total this week a paltry 15k when I should be nearer 20 but I did read an article about listening to your body and recovering properly and I think the 8.5 ish k or whatever I ran with the club last week did my knees in. Will rest them until Wed and the next club meeting and do some cardio if I get the chance  in between.  Hope you are enjoying too. Will not stuff my face this week and will endeavour to run my 20k . Let's see shall we. Might just do a NOBOT if I make it.

One word ..... MO!

And he is running the great north .... With me !...... Well sort of...! Possibly a bit agead of me and even if i revise my time, i cant go less than 2.00 hrs in ant way... Maybe I could do the NOBOT      IF I finish ...! Keep the faith.

Club running bonus! And a nutcracker cake

2runs to report this week-the first non-descript , short trot sped up towards the end , only 2k . Then a running club run (still can't quite believe I am running with a club.....! and not disgracing myself either. We did a steady 8.4k speeding up I. The last k as usual, was the bit where I started to become really comfortable. Why on earth is that? I mean, does it really take me  5or 6 k to warm up ? I started the run wondering if I could keep up, finished strong as usual with a sprint finish and I wasn't really pushing myself on that. All in all a good run but slow and this is the problem, my pace is definately a crawl/shuffle which gradually warms up as some others start strong and then fall behind. Not sure how long the turbo button will last for  but it would be good to try to find out! On another note, bakedLLL his birthday cake, again the bairn decided what shape the cake should take and blow me, if she didn't go and ask for a nutcracker soldier cake .... Duly delivered and scoffed although it did look a bit like Sgt pepper?.. 

Hello from an olympitastic weekend!

Well I never..... And that is I never enjoyed the olympics so much and that is not just because it is held over here (Gawd save  out gracious Queenie and all that)  but I am really , and I mean REALLY enjoying the Olympics this year. Loving it in fact.  Partly because I now know what it actually means to run 10'000m and 5,000m !!! Ok so a little slower than MO (1hour rather than 30secs!!) but my goodness, having run that distance ...and yes, I ran it today as well and GLORIOUSLY ... On my own, without anyone's help, I can at last relate to fit people, you know, the sort who actually runs regularly, which might just make me a sort of RUNNER!!! So pleased for MO, Jess and all the medalists and I hope your country is doing well and that you are enjoying it as much as me. Anyway, back to that solo run..... My usual 10k route  but it is quite a big thing to do it on my now with no-one to keep pace or boost me  and this means I can do that distance and probably even longer on myOWN! this time last year I could not have imagined running 10 k at all, let alone a 16k or 10k on my own. So it really has been a .. Super SAT and SUN for me and please keep enjoying the UK/GB games! Smaller than I would like total...( 15 k this week ) but bloody hell.... Who  cares!!!
P.s. am I saying ' on my own' a lot tonight!! Cos I love that I can do  these things without help. Bizarre, but there you go! 

Another nasty little run but job done

Needing support and not sure where to get it I finally bit the bullet and attended the local running club meeting. Not intending to run, just to see what happens. So encouraged  was I by the general running spirit..... I came home, got changed, braved the rain and I'd the small circuit , only 3k but at least makes it 5/6 k so far. Looks like the only way to progress this week is to do little and daily. The knees, ho....the knees, hurting every step. Legs heavy. Just not my week and I have been "troughing" in other words, enjoying my food just a little too much.....

Bad , bad and even worse

Oh dearie, dearie me. A really bad, hard, sore (and short ) run. Must look back to my last one in April, I think,  I must look back to see if there are any similarities, ( had I recenlty  run a longer than usual run like my 10miler last week, which might have just done it? ) no idea. It anyway this one was a real nasty one. Knees hurt from the star despite sprays ans supports. They did not warm up but hurt to the very last step. Then I went on the spin bike and did 20 mins  or so. The lactic acid kicked in early and did not go away. Then a few weights, only 3 and 4kg so now't heavy but I really struggled. Feel flat as a pancake and, to make matters worse, I have no appetite to each said pancake. Total miles this week; about 2 painful miles.  Total bummer.....

Even a quick run couldn't shift the fatigue but a respectable 20k bagged

Yesterday was a bit of a disaster so I won't dwell on it just to say, very, very tired, squeezed in a 4k at the gym on the treadmill whilst watching the Olympic cycling mroad race (comiserations Cav, still a total winner in our eyes) which makes the total for the week Just under 20k, I will round it up as I did run a bit at the boxing class which will scrape the 20k mark. That's where I want to be, either through a long run and a shortie like this week or a number of medium /short ones throughout the week. Feeling better this morning so let's see what I can squeeze into my mega busy week (work and bairn wise) this week. Keep the faith.

The glory of peas and chips (frozen of course)

Do you have chocolate phylidelphia cheese in your lands? Sounds wrong but tastes great . What has this got to do with running??? Well I think it plus the porridge and jelly babies helped me round the longest run so far a good flat 10 miles. Knees were ok , a bit sore by the 8mile mark but the main thing was my stamina was good right to the end and I could have carried on for another 3miles, which I will have to do on the day of The RUN !..... Great to get that under my belt and know I can do the. Biggie.. Time was 1hr 50 so no records broken but at least I know what I can do. Having said tha, I think I over-did it on the carb loading yesterday. Soooooo much pasta consumed so a bit of a pot belly to deal with. All in the name of running!

Disastero currus......

Not a good week, running wise and apologies for the Latin which , I am sure is incorrect but it was along time since I conjugated mitto, mittis, mittis. So after a week of not very much exercise at all and a real sense of fatigue which took me to the doctors today, I thought my miles this week might only make around 5 k which was a planned rather than bagged run on Sunday. But despite being knackered, I managed a 10k this evening. Wasn't fast , wasn't fun on the knees. Frozen chips on one knee (not mine I have to add) and peas on the other to stop any swelling or pain. Ok so while we are on food, ate a lot of crap this eek. Puddings and kit kats mainly. Burnt the rice pudding and troughed the bizarre apple pancake pudding made by the bairn. Having said all that which sound pretty grim, i have just watched a mud run on t.v.and boy, does that look fun! Ohhhhhh might have found my next goal after the GNR!!!

Ok so time totally hammered by LLL.....

Well , nothing I didn't already know. His first park run and he did it in 26.bloodysomthing minutes and that is without all the training I do BUT he is 6foot 59inches and I am a total short arse. Talking of which apparently a very generous female one spurred him on as he thought, 'I cannot be beaten by that big arse' so he overtook her and kept going. I have to say, the overtaking of an arse more generous than your own is a great feeling but there are many occasions when the reverse happens so the size of the arse means nothing in terms of your fitness or ability to run. Anyway, I am determined to improve and get a p.b. the next time I do a park run so watch this space.

Blimey ...a mini du Athalon..and I liked it!

Ok so didn't expect a du at halon (not even sure if that is how you spell it , is it duathalon, or duo as in 2athalon...dust halon looks right but best google that one) but that is what I did tonight. Only a mini one, 15 min warm up on the spin bike, 2.4 mile run, then 20 mins on the spin bike and finally followed by another 2.4 mile run. Great. The caramel shortbread half way round was a help but looked bad in a gym, on spin bike, eating that...! Anyway, needs must and I did not know what I needed as have never done one. Reckon the crumbly short bread covered in smooth creamy caramel and topped with a generous, thick, sweet layer of rich milk chocolate helped. ANYWAY .... This is not about foooooood , it is about the running and I reckon the girl did good this week. I was away on a course all week and did a little, gentle run around the town I used to live in, pretty park, castle and general trip down memory lane. Great stuff. Then a wicked session in the gym at the uni with big weights and a run the next day which took about 50 mins ending with my duo athLon although I reckon this won't be the end as I will squeeze in a run on Sunday. LLL is doing a park run tomorrow morning so good luck with that and he better not smash my time although I reckon he will. Never mind .... Keep the faith. Tough week but I feel good now. On the up I hope.

6k run almost a swim

Things feel a bit slow on the running front at the minute like I am not making any progress, have not done a race in a while and am not pushing myself or being pushed. I need to re focus and get back in the zone or whatever people do. I did manage a 6k run today after swimming with the bairn which was quite lovely in itself as the golf course was closed due to the flooding and the river run was inches frombeing flooded so I was right by the water of the fast flowing, swollen river. The water was right there beside me about a foot away and it felt so strnage to be almost touching this great big river which is normally quite a few feet below the bank. Parts of the run were totally waterlogged so I just bogged on in there....well once the feet are wet there is no point in worrying. So, where are we re the big race. I make it just over 2 months or so - 8or 9 weeks to go and that is really scary. I have only managed to run 12/13k max - . 8 -9 miles and want to get over the 13mile mark before I actually run the race. Will train with iron woman next week when I am on a course (this of course will be really hard and humiliating but need to). Then I need to go for the next 10k race on Sunday week. Then another one in August and a big long run. Might have to join the local running club as soon as I am back as I am concerned about training time with the boss. My knees feel fine tonight , probably because I was running on such spongy ground so I reckon I will do the small circuit of kirk tomorrow morning if the heavens don't open. Good will and support from anyone who has happened on this blog more than once(not sure if that applies to anyone) would be soooooooooo welcome!

Flies , damn flies

Quick run, expected a longer one but only 5k and part through the ruff with flies everywhere. Apart form that an ok run. Really need to ramp it up now. 5k will just not do. Not sure if my training will happen but I have to work out how to make it happen. Might have to join a running club so I have people to run with as a, a bit crap on. My own. Another 10k race in 2 weeks so need to get up some hills.

Running in Spain, football, cocktails and lots of swimming

Well sort of an ok week training -wise although more of a cross training experience than running per se. Managed 2runs early morning, the first I wished I hadn't as at 7am you see the depressing side of the resort we were staying in as well as the serene beauty. Unfortunately the former vision overwhelms the latter. As I stepped out of the apartment I could run at the shore side to the beach or take the road to the beach and I chose the road where I met a bloke whose day was just ending , drunk and depressed (possibly by lack of any action with the ladies or maybe he had just been dumped...?) who looked at me in my running gear with an expression of total disbelief that someone would go running so early, or possibly at all. Then further down into the resort, I was surprised to see a bar still open and in full party swing, beer being consumed at 7 am.... Followed by 3 Brit girls in teeny tiny outfits , totally hammered , stumbling home and trying to find a lapost to lean on , then each one in turn vomited ... and then laughed and carried on staggering to their apartments. Gross really. At this point I was cheered to see quite q few other s out running, mostly local Spanish probably disgusted or maybe immune to the embarrassing Brit behaviour. I also felt slightly smug abut my efforts versus their post boozing states(this is not to say I haven't had quite a few wild times myself but I I don't think I was ever that bad.. ).THe running was pretty slow but ok until I started running on the sand. After a return leg via the beach front, I ended up just plain depressed by the number of drunk tourists still sleeping beside whomever they got lucky with on the sun beds, the evening meal of McDonald's still in evidence at their feet. A grim sight. This kind of put me off the resort which I have been to for years and years as a family base and the bay, which is very pretty usually outweights the general slide towards tackiness which has increased over the years, but for some reason, I was down well depressed by it all this time. So for my next run, I decided to head out of the resort and was much happier, hugging the rocky coast as long as I could and enjoying the early rays of sun with out any drunk tourists in sight. Both runs we're fairly short and sore on the knees -probably 6 or 7kin total but I did use every set of stairs I could on a daily basis ( and there were a lot between the rooms where various members of my family were based ) and of course, lots and lots of swimming. The 8am swims were the best, the sea was totally calm and clear and the only people up at that part of the resort were a few other early swimmers, usually in their 60s and 70s and very pleasant with it. So I have returned feeling pretty toned, not as much cv work as I would have liked, but endurance and stamina from the swimming and steps should help in some way. The copious apple pancakes and cocktails will not have helped the scales. Ok , so now I am back home and here is where the hard work really starts. Countdown to the great north begins. 16th sept is closer than I can believe. Keep the faith nova, keep the faith!

Great run today but cave man diet went a bit wrong.... With crisps from France

Well.... What can you do. Set off with the best intentions (bikini in mind) and end up on the crisps. Troughing. Anyway, focusing on the better half of the day, the run was 8and a bit k and apparently yesterday's run was 3.something miles not k so I have done more miles than I thought. I will endeavour to do another run today, gym tomorrow in the evening and boxing on THurs as what with the weather it looks like running is out. Anyway, after a decision to go on the cave man diet (hardly any Carbs before the bikini .... So only for a few days) LLLee has returned from France with macaroons and delicious crisps. What am I to do.... But indulge. Oops! Let's hope the session today outweighed the food scoffed later. After all, it is all a great big maths equation. Only until after the bikini holiday. Then forget the calories, it will be head down and serious running focus. By the way, what are your views on a 43yr old mum in a bikini? Not in bad shape but no super model either.....? Considered views only please...!

Olympic effort today (well the torch does come here tomorrow)

STILL hurting from Thursday's boxercise session (not sure I mentioned it) but had a session today with the boss which involved running funnily enough. Think it was about 3or4k .. Probably 3but anyway the miles won't be massive this week. We finished off with a killer of a circuit session. 30 step jumps, 3full flip and drags of the big boxing bag and 20bicep dips ... All 3times over. Then a very quick boxing session. Mind you, was starving after and succumbed to the jubilee range at M&S where they have a special edition rhubarb custard and crumble pot. Delicious but dread to think of the calories and fat content. Had to ice the legs again and the nettle stings are a bit of a bummer (we did a short wild track section on the run which was quite overgrown and I had capris on so there was no chance of avoiding that one) but one musn't grumble at the odd nettle sting. Shut up and get on with it is the attitude. Actually quite a pleasant stinging sessation if I think about it. -and NO I am not into S&M despite the love of boxing. Would like to go to a match some day. Reckon I would stick out like sore thumb but would like the experience... I think. So ends day 1of a 5day mega exercise blast before the bikini. Just have to stop with the food bit. Damn the jubilee. The sooner M&S end that promotional run the better.

Bloody marvellous ... At last a run... Of sorts

Still hurting from a last minute workout at a local village hall, I made a big effort to go for a run today and believe me, I have not hurt like this for a while. Arms and legs. So my first run in ages hurt every step. Ran like a pensioner (although I am sure there are plenty serious and not serious runners out there who are pensioners who could whop my ass at any run. Anyway, I shuffled round and weathered the in coming storm so when the rain started belting down only several hundred yards from home, I popped in to a neighbours to help her out(new baby and had pulled her shoulder muscle) then braved the rain again and potential thunder to continue with the mega slow shuffle and make to 3/4 of the way round the short circuit only to stop at another friends house for a quick chat and eventually haul myself Round the last 1/4 of the run. How bad was that as only 3k run but there you go and at least I finally had some time on my feet this week. Ain't going to be a big score this week....

No runs...lots of buns ... And only 11days until the bikini!

Yes, that is right. Severe lack of runs. Have been to the gym twice so far this week and hope to go tomorrow or at least run. Did think about joining a local running club but a bit scared to run with proper running sorts. Even though I have not run I have indulged in cheesecake yesterday , pavlova at the weekend, lemon drizzle cake and today a mini wini wee bun with my coffee . Oh and some chocolates... And all this with only 11days until my holiday and bikini time. It is time to get serious......

What do you do for your sweet fix?

I have a problem... A real sweet tooth. Love the chocolate and buns and bad stuff.. Bread which is not necessarily bad but the doughy white stuff. Yum. Anyway, the problem is that even though I eat well (usually) I need something sweet at certain times (after every meal)... I did a big resistance/weights session at the gym tonight and was pretty hungry when I got home. After a dinner of steak, pitta and corn on the cob plus a few cherry tomatoes (random but there you go) I needed something sweet. So the nutella came out and I have had a good few spoon fulls of that. Any suggestions? I have tried the dark chocolate trick but just doesn't ring my bell. What would you doNo running today.

Frozen pain au chocolate and croissants following a 5miler

Yes, both types of frozen breakfast pastries employed tonight following a nice little run in the drizzle with a short but fun dirt track which I thought would be muddy but wasn't too bad. Need to do another 5k at the weekend but then again I might go out on Sunday for half an hour and have to run half an hour back.... That is one way to do it. Anyway... Croissants for breakfast!

Another park run done 5k race!

Took a lot of effort to get up and out for this one. Not so much a military operation like the first 5k park run, more a ... Oh no, it's morning and I have to get up and haul my body around a park for 3long , hard laps. I did prepare better though. Carb loaded the night befor. No booze... But still only managed to knock a few seconds off my last race. 28.07 versus 28.50. I tried really hard, tried to run a bit faster at the start, still overtaken by loads but definately upped the pace. Really felt out of puff, struggling for breath on the second lap and as usual, picked up the pace for a strong finish which started a bit earlier than on my last race and I think this is where I made my gains. I was a bit disappointed but then i spoke to a couple of runners and they said that shaving off that amount of time , even though only seconds, was good going so I feel a bit better but need to really focus when back from the US although I know it will hurt like hell......

Nova runs Chiacgo ....

Hello y'all, long time no speak/blog but back from the USA and a couple of runs to report. First one was a good one with very fast and long time triathalon expert so I was in for it from the start. Mind you I felt pretty fresh and ready to keep a decent pace but she was still very much jogging while I was at what I thi k they call threshold pace. We did around 5k I think along the shoreline of lake Michigan and round the aquarium which was lovely to get some fresh air as had been indoors for 2days and desperate for some air and exercise. Tried my very best to run faster but had to do short spurts and was so very grateful when we had to stop at traffic lights. Anyway ...run one done. Ate a shed load to compensate... Run no. 2was a short but sweet jog around the bridges and river walk. Probably about 3k and again glad for the traffic lights. Last run was along the magnificent mile so at least I did over a mile and then on to the first little beach I could find where I dipped my hand in to the lake and then ran back , probably about 3to 4 k again but slow and steady with sore knees all the way. That's it for exercise, lots of walking in uncomfortable shoes but sooooo much food consumed. Have some great photos to share so will up load. Hope all is well with you my friends!

Pump up the miles, pump them up now your feet are stomping ......

Yes... A biggie or big-ish run at last and with the boss chatty chatting as we ran which makes it seem shorter although I am not contributing due to being out of puff-ish. Glad to get the 10k under my belt today so total so far around 17k which is not bad. Hope to finish this off with a 5k park run on Saturday. The only concern is that if I complete this total k I will still not have finished THE GREAT NORTH RUN !.....! Keep the faith Nova, Keep the faith.....

Places I have run and forgot to list on that other running list post...

Amsterdam, lovely river runs on tree lined paths near my hotel. Stockholm, another one which drew me to water and one of the main rivers (or are they fjords?)past many great houses and very , very tall immaculately dressed men plus a quick turn around a park. Dublin!nearly forgot this one altogether as this must be one of my earliest runs on conference with work along the canal(water again...) with a few colleagues and then again earlier this year , possibly before I started this blog I think ( will check) did a quick run very early in the morning in the drizzle but still able to admire the handsome Georgian buildings and Dublin doors. Cadiz, a real gem of a run on a company conference and the perfect way to take a bit of time out from the full on conference antics. Ran through the dunes dotted with little gem coloured wild flowers to the beach and along the edge of the sea for a short jog. Majorca, only listing this one - as have already mentioned a Majorca run, because it ended with the best apple pancake known to man. Bet I have still forgotten a run or 2. I won't count thoseruns done on treadmills in hotels (London and Vienna to name but 2) Boy -don't I sound well travelled ... And like I run a lot!

Snowing in May?

Much needed lovely little run today and what a beautiful day it was too. Having spent most of the day indoors I was itching to get out. No runs with the boss so far this week and had hoped to get a long one in mid week but just not possible. Being housebound plus the lack of running was, i have to confess, making me a little grumpy and i suppose st the back of my mind i m nout dure how much training i will really be able to do in Chicago next week. That added up to a bit of a downer today, something thst doesn't sit easily with me and something i am keen tp put a stop to ASAP as life is just too short. In the end a nice little 3k with 5 sets of speed work along the way did the trick. I had terrible knee niggles earlier in the day and at one point I thought I had done some real damage and my running would have to be put on hold for a while but after a bit of stretching and massage it faired ok. The river was beautiful today with some kind of lovely tree pollen/fluff being shed by little trees a bit like small willows which lined the river bank. I don't know what it was but as I ran along the river the wind was blowing gently and it seemed like I was running through snow. Delightful. It made me think just how lucky I am to be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery for free.. but then I realised I had to pay gym fees to run here....so I thought about the great hill runs I do ... But of course there is a few miles to drive to get there and what with the price of petrol....anyway, the important thing is I am fit enough to run and able to really enjoy the beauty of nature which at the end of the day , as they say in Yorkshire, costs now't!

Little local trot

Dragged myself out for a trot from home, the 4.6k circuit of kirk and a bit more at the end to make about 4.8k. It hurt at the start , the knees feeling sore and the right ankle deciding to join the potty party for the first time which makes me think I need to strap that fella up as well, which means I am pretty much swaddled from ankle to knee on both legs. Nevermind ... So long as I get round injury free. Saw a long legged gazelle running in front of me at one point but thank goodness she turned off into a cul de sac so I didn't have to follow her around the circuit. I hoped to feel better by 3k but as happened last time, I really only loosened and sped up by 4k and picked up my pace to what I think is threshold level (proper running talk that) till I got home. Despite the mixed review, I enjoyed it in the end and felt glad to have done it. Gyming it tomorrow and will run on Wednesday. Need to get the miles in before I head off the the USA for conference week. Hope it it sunny with you my friends!

Where have I run in the world

Ireland a very little bit at school under major duress and def not more than 1 lap round the track. Majorca from parents apartment on one side of Santa Ponca bay to the cross of Don Carlos 3rd and back - a lot of walking involved. England Kenilworth around the Castle and that area but not more than 2 or 3k I should have thought USA some of the nicest- New York -I might just be dreaming that I ran in Central Park on my several visits but proba Bly just walked around it and went shopping instead.... USA California... Pismo Beach...lovely but probably not that far. USA Bedford Hills, really being nosy wanting to see the fancy houses! USA Hawaii On Lanakai Beach and fancy roads behind SO really I suppose I have been a sort of runner for while. Never enjoyed it until NOW!

Total k this week..... Started well but what a tail off!

Total for this week 16k but almost all of it done at the start of the week so must do better (or at least more evenly) this week. When I don't run regularly, I notice myself clocking other runners from the car with envy. Last week did end up a bit mad with work towards the end and I had to go to Ireland for a party with absolutes no chance of a run but this week promised to be mentally taxing but hopefully time rich so I can bang the miles in. I will....I must! I have my eye on the next 10k and hope to do a 5k park run beating 28mins on Saturday so let's see if I can run off some of the buns, cakes and garlic sausage rolls consumed this weekend .

Sneaked in a shorty on the treadmill

Only 3 K and nearly 1 K of that was a very fast walk but time on my feat as they say.... looking towards my next race and have decided it will be the 10k at a stately home neat here . I had a quick peek at the terrain and not as scary as my first 10k. I need to keep focused on a target and get the time on my feet up .  Next run.... hopefully in Ireland and hopefully it will be DRY!

The longest and one of the loveliest!

Well from a slow start this week where I was dispairing about low miles under my belt I managed to pull a blinder this morning completing my longest run so far ...13k. Delighted for a non-runner and what really makes it good is that it was a delightful run with hills , off road and great views. Started at the village pub and climbed slowly up a road to the start of the off road bit in the forest which was lovely, lots of dog walkers and bikers and generally people keeping fit and getting out in the fresh air on a Sunday morning. Then we (was with the boss... Could not attempt 13k on my own after all) headed off into a field on a small raised track with wheat and wild flowers either side (reminded me of another lovely walk in Nepal with my dad and sister and the boys as we returned from a treck through a sun dipped rice paddy field ) and then had to negotiate muddy puddles to climb up a gorse lined field through a wood to find a beautiful, silent lake. Then climbed up a very, very steep hill , ran along the top of the ridge past the gliding club and then a steep wood descent , finally back on the road to the village. I loved the run, knees sore at the end but boy, was I happy and... I think I even looked like bit of a fit person.... Will pop photo of the really muddy shoes and the view on in a bit. Wish me luck walking or generally trying to move tomorrow.

Lead leg excuse for a run and 2BAD pavlovas....

Really bad, lead legged run. Not good. Hard, rubbish .... Etc. really dragged. Did warm up of sorts. Did 5mins on the cross trainer and 2 mins in the treadmill before I had to escape the confines of the gym and risk the (many, many and sometimes heavy)showers which had skipped the area above the gym for the hour I was there. Good. But did not help the run. Anyway..... Then did a 15 -20min circuit session and 5 mins boxing with the boss. All in all a less than satisfactory session and run my global friends. The running has to get better.... And the bloody pavlovas! I made 2 tonight and both sucked. One , because the bairn helped (tired to "help" with the separating the egg whites but really mixed them up and but so the pavlova ended up like a pancake or pizza base)and number 2.... I forgot the vinaigrette and corn flour. The number 2 did rise but not sure what it tastes like... Oh well , life goes on despite bad runs and flat pavlovas.

Didn't run. It wished I had...

Some days you just need to clear your head and today I had been particularly inactive, studying scientific papers and i really needed a break. Decided to do a session at the gym and do some cross training (on the cross trainer....) and then on the spin bike but a class interrupted my space so did some weights instead and annoyed the boys who were hovering around the bench press and weights section desperately wanting to get their space back.... Nearly made me stay an extra 5 mins but I am not that petty. Just enjoy owning the space for a bit and strutting around the press bench ha ha! I think those boys are scared of me. I am a bit feirce at the gum ... Well i am not there to socialise... And I am a bit older so they dare not say anything to me as I focus on the job in hand. If only they knew I was nice lady really... But I must say I can look fierce at the gym! As I left the gym the sun came out and I desperately wished I had been for a run or could go for one now but will have to wait until tomorrow (: ! Something about the sun and spring and sunshine that just makes me want to get out there and run. Til Tomorrow then(:

Hello hills again!

Hills can be good -even lovely, partly because you do not have to go really far to have worked hard. It seems to be all about the short, sharp effort. The sun and spring helps of course. No photos today but will post and older one of me at the top of the hill. about 4k (and a hilly one at that)clocked today. Need to up that with a 5k tomorrow or the next day. Actually I have not run the Circuit of Kirk (big one) for ages so it would be good to time that to or row if I am up to it. Hope you are all well my friends...! By the way, I have not mentioned food for a while and that is not because I am. It eating .... I so am, just that I am trying not to stuff myslef with sweet stuff after a run which is a bit hard. On the nutella tonight, not on anything like cracker... Just from the tub....

No running but blimey... What heavy weights!

So I thought I would give the knees a rest and do some cross training but managed to get a short weights session in as well with big Blokey clean and jerk type weights, dumb bells etc. strength training is supposed to be important for running training plans and also burns fat (eating lots to compensate for extra miles run but it seems to be sticking to my hips a bit .... So need to either stop eating so much or burn a bit more fat) Did some dead lifts 25k and pyramid weights with 3 to 7ks. Hope to run soon. Take care y'all...

Kilometres run this week....3.

Yes my friends, that is the sad total for this week. Done today. Actually I was not intending to run when I went to the gym earlier but as I drove over the river and up the lane lined with bluebells I had to run outside instead of the cross trainer. Not really a run mind you...more of a true jog/shuffle with a break over the bridge for a rendition of the can can dance as it was playing on my I pod (decided to listen to my classical playlist rahter than foo fighters for a wee change) and the golf course was empty. There is nothing quite like doing the can can to get your heart rate up. It felt really good to be running - sorry, jogging again. Will do more next week -mind you, I thought my knees had emerged from the 10k pain-free... But not the case. They hurt a bit today. Hey ho. Need to start focusing on another race so I have a goal. Might even try to scrape in under the 1hour!

HA HA BLOODY MARVELLOUS! First 10k race done.....

And it was bloody marvellous! Hard but really good fun. The weather was truly awful but the rain did not stop me, I guess the adrenalin helps you ignore it. I told a lady in the queue beside me (also her first race) at I was hoping , worst case scenario 1hour 30mins... Best case, 1hour 15 and at this point she looked at me agog... She tried not to look surprised at the times I suggested but she was and so were the other very fit runners around her who heard . Well... The day was windy and wet and I had seen hail so I thought this was a realistic time for a first timer in this kind of wuthering heights backdrop. The fantastic news is that I completed it in 1hour and 16seconds. I am still sitting here with a mile-wide -smile. So happy with that result and only walked a teeny tiny bit at the top of the killer hill just before the finish. Mind you, if I had tried to keep going at that point I might have come in under the hour... The mind boggles. I have to say a massive thanks to the boss who ran with me for the first mile and a bit and kept my pace good, showed me how to just go for it on the wild moor stretch where others were pussy footing around the puddles and bog whereas he just piled on through and if he got wet... So what. So I did the same and I reckon this helped my time nicely. Also ended up 200 th out of 263 runner and happy with that as I thought I was going to be last for sure. Also big thanks to the bairn and LLLee for standing at the bottom of the last and truely horrible hill to keep me going as I was flagging. This was a hard race . Soooo glad I did it though. Have some photos and will post them in a bit. Off to the local pup for a nice meal and maybe a glass of bubbles...!mmmmmmmm.

One much needed sleep to go...

Having spent the night in hospital beside the bairn, a physically and mentally exhausted me has prepped all her gear and is about to go to bed to get some much needed sleep before the race tomorrow... and apparently it will be a shocking day-high winds, rain , mist.... Delightful! It might mean, though, that I don 't actually see the hills I have to negotiate so that might help. I am not sure about what to wear for the rainy, cold day. The chap in the running shop today said the best thing for running in the rain is just your skin.... Well I do not intend to run this starkers so instead I have lined up an entire shops worth of clothing options currently lining the upstairs bannister and will bring a few options with me. Note -I am obsessing over the small stuff to forget the big stuff... Like finishing the course and in a time which means I can keep a degree of dignity. The bit I am actually looking forward to is the boggy moor. Should be fun. I am , at heart , not scared of a "bit of weather" having grown up in the constant drizzle of North East Ireland and having been shoved into a freezing North Atlantic Sea from a formative age so I should be ok tomorrow. Fingers crossed please and keep the faith.... Big time!

Should hills really be this much fun?

Only 3 sleeps to my first 10k run and yesterday I did a hard but thoroughly enjoyable 4k with lots of HILLS! The scenery helped a lot and the run started off with a gentle jog and then we attacked an almighty hill which had to be walked up at some very steep points but it brough us up to the same glorious view which I have taken a couple of photos of and will attach . This forest is my own little Rome as I covered 7 hills in total. The last bit of the trail had a couple of short, sharp hills which the boss stormed up and waited shouting "dig in" type things so I did and got a bit of a rush when I got to the top of each one... So it is possible to enjoy hills. The only thing is.... The 10k includes long ones and a very sharp one at the end of ...10k!

5 sleeps to go...

Quick post to say did the gym session as planned, tried not to stress the knees as hill work tomorrow if weather holds(has been a glorious day today and was hard to stay in the gym this evening and not venture outside as saw quite a few runners ). Anyway, job done for today.

The plan for the week -6 sleeps to go....

6 sleeps and in reality 4 days of training until the race. Not counting Saturday as that will be a rest day. LLLee thinks I am going a bit bonkers about it as I seem to be relating everything to the mammoth task ahead of me on Sunday. Of course, this is mainly for effect as it is only a bloody 10k which I have ran before and I will love it no matter what but having a bit of fun with the drama of it all. Even managed to remark during 'Lawerence fo Arabia' desperate desert scene that his terrible plight was pretty much what I would be facing on that last hill before the finish. So the plan for this week looks like this; Today - swim . Rubbish one actually cos the pool was full of kids splashing about , which is what I would prefer to do and the swimming teacher watching my dodgy attempts at goggle swimming and then reverting back to breast stroke with a whole heap of bad habits and poor technique there too I am sure. Anyway, at least I exercised a bit. Tues - gym, resistance training and bit of cross training , interval style. Wed - hill running with the boss and probably the most important session before the race. Thurs - depending in how I feel, weights and core or bit of gentle swimming. Fri - longish run with LLLee , maybe 6 to 8 k? Maybe less. Sat - absolutely now't. That's the plan anyway! {:

Back &forth over the river bridge-a sure way to make the golfers scratch their heads

Decided to do a quick recky of the 10k race site as I wanted to know (a) exactly what type of "hills" I was really going to have to face and (b) find out where the start was and of upmost importance, where the loos were. Did not want to go round the drivable bits of the course as I still want to be pleasantly surprised (or traumatised). As i got closer to the race village i noticed the terrain moving from really flat, to mildly undulating and then distinctly hilly... The race village was pretty, the terrain was truly, truly hilly and the last ( I don't really know distances but it seemed like around a MILE) stage was a very, very steep climb... However, it is not a question of will i do it but of i will do it and it might take a bit longer but so bloody what... A year ago i did not think i could run a 3k let alone a hilly 10 k! I I will think of the amazing Chrissey Wellington who says pain is transitory, my colleague, Maddie,IRON woman , the boss, IRON MAN! The Lee genetics which I have not inhereted but still try to plug into and finally those wonderful marathon runners, running for whatever charity , Jane Tomlinson and her wonderful family... I will Keep the faith this week , crack on and do first 10k race.... Yippee!

New post about food -very brief....

Frozen prawns still in freezer, not consumed as yet. Thinking of defrosting them after my run tomorrow as there are some frozen Yorkshire puddings which could suffice after my planned 10k practice run mid week. Any suggestions for the prawns? Was going to do some kind of stir-fry but open to simple suggestions. By the way, if you haven't tried Yorkshire puddings and gravy yet, then YOU MUST as they are bloody gorgeous! Tarra!

On the eve of the London Marathon, my thoughts go out to all those first time runners. Well to all the runners actually and very best of luck. My own mini landmark is fast approaching with only a week to go before my first 10k race. 10k in itself is ok (well still at my upper limit really) but very do-able . The problem is two-fold. 1. It is a race and 2. it is a very hilly race and I haven't really done hills so went out with the boss to tackle a couple in my new trail shoes. The whole day had been interspersed (spelling?) with pretty torrential rain storms but by the time I had my gear on and was ready to run, a wonderful window of clear weather appeared and ran a lovely but hard 4k with my heart about to burst out of my chest on the hilly bits at some points - but this was a much, much needed mini hill training session and the only thing which made me feel good was despite my pace slowing to a virtual crawl on some steeper inclines, my recovery seemed ok. One hill was so steep it was known as the "gut buster" and although i felt close to wretching at one point, i can confirm it has not busted this little gut, however , it was a real experience and the views at the top were spectacular. Doh.. No camera again but doubt if I could capture some of the lovely scenery around here anyway. Gorse is glowing, bluebells and wood anenomies making an appearance and best of all, the swallows are back!!!!!! Massive warm wishes to all running the marathon for charity tomorrow. I will be wishing you lightness on every step. XXX. P.s. how do you keep cats off your car? Cruelty free answers only please to ensure no-one gets offended.....

12k and crispie buns for 40

Despite the most miserable drizzly day I had a session with the boss and he does rain and expects others to as well so got my gear ready and set off. Running on my own in the rain I might not have even set off or at best, I might have managed to scrape a 2or 3k at a push but running with the boss you(a) don't complain and (b) pretend it is a sunny day and to be honest, the run just slipped past. There are days and runs like that and they are just great . M y knees were fine (although the frozen prawns are in action as we speak) and although the first 5k was a bit slow, we did the 12k in just over 1hr 10. Really needed to put in a long run so thanks boss. Well enough of the training on to my second favourite subject - FOOD ! Off to make crispie buns for 40 for a 60s do at the Village Hall. I reckon I need more photos on this blog so if I don't manage to get any photos of my runs then I will put in my food ! You lucky blogsters ........ !

Frozen prawns on the knees .....ahhhhh lovely!

Sitting here with a bag of morrisons frozen king prawns on each knee , ethically sourced I hope but to be honest the food shop was taking too long and they were the last things on my list as I spotted a suspiciously free checkout isle so grabbed the first bags I could find. Anyway, they are doing a grand job on the knees which were a tad hot after my slightly bizarre treadmill run in the gym today. I didn't intend to run, just do a bit of interval training on the spin bike cos my shirt was a bit short which meant my bum was on show which is not at it's best due to the Easter excess but it will begin to shrink, of that I am truly determined! Anyway, the gym was really quiet so I decided to get my miles back on track (ish ) by doing a 5k treadmill run. Started with a 5 min fast warm up and then ran for 2k on a very slight incline but was busting a gut by then (as i always seem to in the first couple of k...?) so walked for a bit on a steep incline and then ran on and off at a fast pace to finish the 5k in a really slow 35 mins (mind you, I never really trust the treadmill readouts as they always say my runs are ridiculously slow). Anyway, a few weights and core stuff and that is another session in the bag. Prawns on knees just incase I can manage another 5k tomorrow to make a less-than adequate- but-there- you-go mileage this week. better go before the prawns are cooked.

A question for my Russian friends...?

A question to anyone really who had happened upon this blog and lives in a country celebrating Easter... Do you all pig out on chocolate too, and buns, and lots of bad food that makes you stop exercising and then makes you want to again to get it out of your system? Eventually, I dragged myself to the gym to do a knee friendly workout - cross trainer, moderate 10 mins, vicious intervals(spelling?)for a minute on and off, total of 20, then 8 mins hard on spin bike, then weights with testosterone filled blokes hovering in disgust as I used "their" weights bench. I love it when I invade their space, they don't know what to do..... Ha ha! Anyway, happy with work out if not my fitness level but onwards and upwards. Only 3 weeks to the first (and very hilly) 10k! Oh s**t. Anyway, nice to get a running buddy for the next 10k(thanks Nicky) and sending big love to vandalicious popodpoplous, my lovely friend who has had a bit of a chest related set back and I hope she is fighting fit in time for her holiday xxxxxx.

Peachy beach run

Easter weekend brought the delights of my first beach run and boy do the dunes hurt but really have to say what a beautiful morning run, more or less empty beach, just a couple of people walking their dogs but left them at the start of the beach and ran into the total emptiness of the strand with nothing,no-one, nada, to spoil the peace and quite. Actually, a very empty beach if I think about it with no birds and precious few shells or seaweed. Doesn't matter though as glorious wide stretches of sand and dunes behind. Now then.... The dunes! They are buggers. Really hard to run in that kind of soft sand and of course, they are undulating which means dodgy sand and hills, a nasty combination but kept saying the odd burst up a dune was good for an interval training substitute. Off the beach I ran up a little forest path and then back down for a little bit more beach running, e magnificent Bamburgh CAstle i the background, passing those same doggy people for the third time before heading home. Tremendous effort but legs and knees hurting like hell. 2and a bit hour drive home later that day ha not helped my stiffness. Let's see if I can even walk tomorrow...

Lovely weather , lovely run , rubbish day at first

A beautiful day sandwiched in between pretty cold miserable weather helped lift a rubbish early part of the day . Did the 5k river run and the river looked really beautiful today. Still and sunny, no wildlife (well some rabbits but they don't count). I relaxed into a slow pace letting myself begin the first half of the run at a bit more that a crawl, started to pick up as the hill with the portaloo at the top appeared and after a little diversion (really needs a bit of a clean that loo although mostly frequented by geriatric golfers, you would think they were the demanding sort who expect a clean porta loo) carried on at a better pace and back by the river, broke into my habitual "sprint".... Of sorts, finding that second wind. Do I really seem to hit the wall on every run right at the start of a run, no matter how long or short? Off to the seaside for Easter so I'll attempt some beach running. Total k's so far this week: about 20 and a mixed little bunch they were too. Will try to squeeze another one in and then see what next week brings:} Happy Easter and good egg eating to you all !

According to Rod, the first cut is the deepest, well, according to me, the first mile is the bloody hardest

Despite the most miserable drizzly day I had a session with the boss and he does rain and expects others to as well so got my gear ready and set off. Running on my own in the rain I might not have even set off or at best, I might have managed to scrape a 2or 3k at a push but running with the boss you(a) don't complain and (b) pretend it is a sunny day and to be honest, the run just slipped past. There are days and runs like that and they are just great . M y knees were fine (although the frozen prawns are in action as we speak) and although the first 5k was a bit slow, we did the 12k in just over 1hr 10. Really needed to put in a long run so thanks boss. Well enough of the training on to my second favourite subject - FOOD ! Off to make crispie buns for 40 for a 60s do at the Village Hall. I reckon I need more photos on this blog so if I don't manage to get any photos of my runs then I will put in my food ! You lucky blogsters ........ !

Where I run.....

Happy birthday to meeeeee!

Do runners improve with age?

Iam asking this as I sit waiting for my birthday to arrive in 2 hours time. Would.'t it be nice if that was the case. In my eyes, the main thing is not to get any worse at the very least. I was feeling a little 'off' to say the least before I went for my run this evening with the boss. I don't think he likes excuses normally but he and his good lady had experienced the same thing yesterday so a bit of sympathy seemed to show up. Very welcome as the first couple of miles were hard. Then as we turned down a woody off road path (really a short cut rather than running the full 6 miles)Iseemed to find my stride and enjoyed the last mile. That is around 14 k so far if the week starts on Sunday but knees are a bit tender so not sure how much more I can do this week. Let's see shall we....! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME(:

New shoes at last

An early birthday present - (dinky danke) of new shoes , trail shoes and insoles. Tried them out today on the long circuit (5k) which took another 28 mins and resulted in a teeny tiny blister but nowt to cry about. At least i realised that the insoles don't go on top of the ones already there ...eventually ....as trainers felt extremely snug until I took the original pair out. Beautiful afternoon to run and a lovely clear view of the vale. Wildlife count , only 1 angry oyster catcher (probably too close to the nest) and really felt like it was hard going at two points with the usual doubts of 'will I really run all the way today?' happening on both occasions but pushed through and as I patiently waited for my second wind, I got it around joan's house and the last half mile seemed to just slide by beautifully. Wonder why that is..? First mile slow , second up and down , third glides by. I still never really know how much fuel there is in the tank during the last mile and I am reluctant to push incase I have to do the 'walk of shame' on the last few hundred yards but at some point I will have to really push myself. Maybe this week. Yep, this week at some point. Will let you know how it goes. Mind you we are expecting snow at the end of the week so that might mean the walk of shame for the full 5k! How is the weather with you my Global friends?

Fruit salad for 60! You really do (almost always ) feel better after a run...

Well this was (as Winnie the pooh would describe) a honey pot run . A bit sticky at first, legs feeling like they are stuck in honey but at the end you feel good. Only 3 miles but surprise , surprise, I have a photo of where I run-if I can only work out how to do that . I will because it is lovely, big river, quiet, not quite as nice as the wee house in the woods one but still pretty good as runs go. Running round the edge of the golf club looking at vaguely disapproving golfers. Bet my Dad who was a keen golfer woud have approved of people keeping active.. and even waved , maybe. Anyway, returned home to make fruit salad for 60 - village hall do. Bloody hate grapes now. Halving the buggers is a pain in the arse (sorry my learned European friends but there you are). Also did this on the chopping board I chop garlic on ... Wonder if any super tasters will notice ? Kept thinking will anyone elderly choke on my nectarines - they are quite hard and I did cut them rather generously. Keeping an ear out for any signs of an ambulance as I type. Not doing the park run this week but MUST do week after next as not that long to my first 10k !!!@

2 flies swallowed and burnt the dinner...

No running today but did manage to squeeze and evening bike of around 5k (I think -will go with that as it is roughly the big circuit of KIrk and a couple of laps around the playing fields). Would have been the perfect opportunity to use the GPS but forgot about it as not running. Even though it was perfect BBQ weather and there were sausages, burgers and steak /salad in the fridge, a trip to aunty V's threw out the schedule and the steaks I had popped in the slow oven were burnt and totally inedible. Good job I had swallowed 2flies during the bike ride. Bit of protein. At least there will be no fear of that happening when I run as the speed is slightly different. Still doing the knee stretches but very, very dull. Is there any way of making them more high octane? Views from Russia welcome - by that I mean comments welcome, not photos of the view from your house unless it is very pretty. TA.

5k smashed by the long legged Lee.

I knew it wouldn't be long but nowt gets Mr. Lee running like a time someone else (usually me) has set. So of course he went out today and smashed it. 24 min 5k with no preparation. Damn those long legs. He is 6 ft2 and 5 ft of that is legs so I will never match that ( about 2 ft of my 5ft 3 inches are legs). Anyway, went for a short 2miler with a bit of speed work and felt better after the run. Always feeling better after a run unless the knees are playing up...which they are not! Need to really buckle down to get in shape for my first 10k which will involve hills so need to work out where to find hills in the very, very flat vale of York. The boss will sort that out and lent me a gps while he is sunning himself abroad so I can keep training. Apparently lots to think about for the Great North.... Liberal application of Vaseline, weeing public, nipple rub... The joys! Good job I am doing it only the once.

FIrst 5k race done!

Set everything out last night like I was preparing for a polar expedition when in reality it was a friendly local park run. Up at 6.30am to make sure my porridge is digested in time. Major fog meant I arrived at the venue with only 10mins to wait, nervously eyeing up all the fit people and keen runners until I saw some people arriving in velour leisure wear and some others who clearly enjoy a bun or two which made me feel a lot better (by the way, i am with you on that as i cannot resist a muffin myself ). Set off in the middle/front of the pack and watched what seemed like a million runners pass me as I tried to pace myself and fix on a couple of runers close by. A fit looking , all the gear type was my pace setter plus an amazing bloke who was getting on in years and shuffled but was doing the shuffling at a faster pace than me... Ended up on second and third lap passing some which was fab and telling myself knees ok, legs ok breathing a bit ropy but ok... So ok keep going and when you see the finish keep pushing. Anyway ended up chasing a nice lady and not quite sprinting as can't really do that but there you go. P robably could have pushd harder if the boss was shouting in my ear but never mind. Finished in 28.50 so not the 27 I would have liked but ok and in one piece. Big grin at end of race. Sorry no photos but just imagine the forth bridge with lots of teeth on it and bobs your uncle. The clan were at the finish and the boss was informed of the pace. Got in the car, bought some petrol, went homed, showered, had a cup of tea and not yet 10. 15 am. Lovely!

Post massage run this evening - bloody marvellous really ...to be running again and down my favourite route , the one with the tree lined lane and house in the woods. Ran it backwards today (as in the route, not physically backwards in case you are thinking... Odd) and the lane leading to the farm seemed loads longer this way. Funny how that happens sometimes when you run a route backwards bits of it take on new proportions. Still as lovely though and passed the free range kids who live in the little paradise cottage with a wood store, chickens, fruit trees and a little pond all reached by a tree canopied grassy lane. Just lovely. Anyway, my sense of direction was clearly screwed up by the back to front route as I was adamant that I had not run the last bit of lane before.... Of course this was the start of the normal route but less muddy and from a different angle. Wildlife score - one stoat although to be honest I missed it and 2 curlews. Really have to (a) bring a camera next time and (b) learn how to put some photos on this damn blog. Finished off the 4.6 k/miles (I never listen to what I am being told about distances ..ok then, shall we go with miles!) with a bit of boxing. Champion. Please feel free to comment - unless you have found me in rather a random manner whilst searching for porn.

Kneetastic Today I had my knees looked at . Tracking issues , good deep tissue massage, tight glutes and they might need building up rather than my.. Inner muscles don't know what they are called. It was suggested I go to the gym and do some weight training and gym work... I do more gym stuff than ever in my life but I clearly don'look like I do! Anyway it is not about the body, it is about the real joy of running and when I step up for my first 5k race or my first cross (?) multi terrain race at the end of April in the glorious YOrkshire countryside i will have a mile wide smile!

Hello my Russian friends! Just looked at some other blogs and mine is very boring. Need more photos. And runs considering this is a running blog... But I am seeing the physio tomorrow ans expect a miraculous cure of the knees (.) well if not lots of deep freeze followed by frozen chips and a magnum might do the trick!

HA. HA ... today , at last I ran . It was short and slow but really, really good. 2.4 k... Or miles, will have to check with the boss but at least it is a start. Have you heard of deep icy freeze? It really helped my knees and they still feel fine. Ran down by the river, along the bank for a bit, up over the wooden toll bridge and back to the gym through the golf course. All with a bit of sun and fresh breeze. Gotta love the running..!

Goggle swimming not my thing. Goggles didn't fit so just did normal swimming as fast a I could. 20k on the bike as part of a charity lands end to John o groats cycles ride. Encouraged (some would say egged on) a big lad on the bike next to me and told him to go for it and to his credit he kept going for longer than I did although he had to take lots of brakes, sweated buckets and at one poimt thought he was going to have a coronary but the bloke did well. Took home an ankle weight and will concentrate on the knees and hope to run Monday ....! BIG fingers crossed as miss it.

Still not running

Still not running -but little opportunity to today . Edinburgh and back by train and that simply beautiful train journey can't help lift your spirits especially when the sun is out and a mist hangs over DUrham so only the cathedral is lit by sun. Then the run up to lindenfarne . A delight. Swimming tomorrow to give the knees a rest one more day but to keep my fitness levels up I will have to do proper goggle swimming ... And that means buying goggles and remembering to breathe!

A bad run ... Sunday morning was a beauty , proper spring warmth and a very clear sunny day but was the first of some rather than many I hope Bad Runs. Legs felt like lead, sore knees meant the circuit of kirk (long one) of just under 5k was changed to the short circuit ( 3.k) and even that I had to walk ... A lot. I think this was a reaction to the increased miles from last week but whatever the reasoning was left downhearted and frustrated- for a bit anyway. ON top of that, I burnt a big iron mark on my new running top. Looks good!

No running today or tomorrow but did do nasty but necessary cardio cone session in the gym with the boss. Giving the knees a rest .

Beautiful run  4 k probably very slow - some off road and part of it down the most lovely wooded lane leading to a cottage in a shady nook with  a stream and chickens ( well I think there was a stream and chickens but that might be a flight of fancy cos this is really a lovely spot.) Anyway tough to begin with and was my first 'water run' carrying water (how exciting...  but you know anything new is,  well .... new for me). Bit of walking  in between but slowly , slowly, I will get there.  Have to start looking into trail shoes for my first 10k. Looked at the terrain map and nearly passed out. News flash... there are hills - looks like lots of them.

nova runs ... Well in reality she does not run or hasn't until last summer. The last thing she thought she cloud do. And now she has started or at least started "jogging" a word she is not keen on but realises she has not really graduated to "running" yet even though she has some of the gear. What qualifies for "running"? If you finish on a beautiful day, having seen some of the beautiful earth around us and finish withan almighty grin thinking what will my next run be like.? Is that running? Then Nova runs ... And loves it. And at nearly 43 , from zilch running experience and zero confidence in her ability not to mention the dodgy skiiing knees and hyper mobiles, has entered the GNR ,,!

Ok had a stab at first post but can't work out how to do spell check so that is a total bummer as I am the worst touch typist ever. Anyway, forgive the spellings and get the jist of the thing I hope... And by the way you will hear more about the knees I'll be bound. If it gets too much then tell me to shut it. And get on with it which is what I reckon most of you proper runners will say. Last comment on the knees for a while ( I promise) ... The knee supports make my legs look fat , they are like a couple of girdles which give me muffin top of the knee. How can that be possible.? Anyway, they are vital if I am going to get to the start of the Holy Grail which is the GNR so I will shut the f.u. Running tomorrow so will let you know how that goes.

Ok had a stab at first post but can't work out how to do spell check so that is a total bummer as I am the worst touch typist ever. Anyway, forgive the spellings and get the jist of the thing I hope... and by the way you will hear more about the knees I'll be bound. If it gets too much then tell me to shut it. and get on with it which is what I reckon most of you proper runners will say. Last comment on the knees for a while ( I promise) ... The knee supports make my legs look fat , they are like a couple of girdles which give me muffin top of the knee. How can that be possible.? Anyway, they are vital if I am going to get to the start of the Holy Grail which is the GNR so I will shut the f.u. Running tomorrow so will let you know how that goes.